Jeremiah 31:31 and Matthew 5:17 Torah as Law/guidance

I have recently started to deepen my studies of Gods word and have run up against a couple walls that I am looking for guidance from some more mature christians.
Jeremiah talks about a new covenant however my understanding is that there are two words in hebrew that are suggested, the first means new as in somthing different and the other means new as in renewed, can someone with a better understanding of Hebrew give insight. The differences seem to come from christian greek interpretation and the Jews and messianic Jewish views of the relevance of Torah to the believer.

Matthew 5:17 speaks coming to fulfill which some argue means to abrogate and others suggest it means to fill up/give a fuller meaning to.

What I am really trying to sort out in my mind is what value is the Law given at Sinai to the christian today, I don't personally see how it can be abrogated when Paul states that it is still useful for teaching, instructing etc and also have a hard time (in my own minds thoughts) of understanding how somthing God set down as a standard would no longer apply. (Please do not misinterpret this as a way of salvation, but as a way of living for God)

I would agree with your assessment. I don't see how God could abolish His law as some claim. Rather, I see that Jesus "filled up", as you stated, the entirety of the law. First we had the Word and then came the Word made Flesh. Jesus lived a life without sin and so His life was a living representation of the Word of God. He always did those things which pleased His Father. (But the truth is that the Word, Jesus Christ, came first and the written Word came second to give humanity a record of God's character and to help us understand His will for us. Then, lastly, that Word became flesh and dwelt among us. The living embodiment of the Word of God in human flesh.)

I also reason that if it were possible for God to abolish His law then it would not have been necessary for Jesus to die because, as the Word of God says, "by the law is the knowledge of sin," and again, "where there is no law, there is no transgression." So then if the law was abolished at the cross, as some say, then after that point in time there has been no sin.

But of course, those who teach that the law was abolished at the cross in reality eliminate only one commandment--Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. They resurrect all but the 4th (3rd, if your Catholic) in the New Testament. They drop the Sabbath commandment in the law and instead observe a church tradition of worshiping on the day of the resurrection. I'm OK celebrating a risen Savior on Sunday as a tradition established by men but I don't think we can ignore the Sabbath commandment given by God.

So, what value is the Law given at Sinai to Christians today? Well, other than knowing that sin (transgression of the law) brings death and obedience brings life I would say that the value comes in two main parts: 1st, how we are to treat others, and 2nd, obedience to God. Jesus said that if we love Him we should keep His commandments. So a love for God seems to have a direct relationship to obedience to His law. And of course, perfect love casts out fear whereas imperfect love, or imperfect obedience, brings fear through condemnation because the wages of sin is death and death is our #1 enemy.

But look at it from this angle. Think of the infinite sacrifice Jesus paid to redeem us from sin. Think of the enormous love He has for us. How diligently He works in our behalf to see His sacrifice come to fruition. How disappointed He is to see us treat His gift so indifferently. His Life, His law, all given for our eternal happiness. Not to confine us or take away our freedoms but to set us free from every hurtful thing. If we learn to love righteousness and to hate iniquity then we are in fact learning to love Jesus. We are learning to love every good thing He represents and to shun every evil thing He hates because it robs Him of His children. We are learning to love His character, His kingdom. Him!

Hope that is helpful.

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